Scarpanid family

The Scarpanid family consists of two airborne species which are defined by their habit of abducting their prey. They swoop down from the sky to pick up either up to two Pikmin at once or a single Captain, depending on species and game.

Swooping Snitchbug

Main article: Swooping Snitchbug.

The Swooping Snitchbug is a creature present in all three Pikmin games. They are legless, round, flying insects that have evolved wing-like antennae as a means of locomotion. They attack by swooping down and grabbing prey, though this species only grabs the Pikmin, not the Captains. After carrying the prey for a few seconds, they violently throw it toward the ground, which forces the Pikmin to be replanted and revert to its leaf stage. Snitchbugs can be weighed down by throwing many Pikmin (or at least one Purple Pikmin) onto their body, causing them to crash to the ground and making them susceptible to attack. In Pikmin 3, throwing a Rock Pikmin at the creature will cause it to fall to the ground, and they replace the role of Bumbling Snitchbugs by gaining the ability to grab captains as well as Pikmin.

Bumbling Snitchbug

Main article: Bumbling Snitchbug.

The Bumbling Snitchbug is a creature discovered by Captain Olimar during his second visit to the Pikmin Planet. It closely resembles the Swooping Snitchbug in appearance and behavior, though possesses more body mass. Instead of picking up Pikmin, it will pick up the pilots, and eventually hurl them into the ground; however, they will not be "planted". Captured leaders may struggle to free themselves by rotating the Analogue Stick or have a second leader throw Pikmin to combat the enemy. Weighing the Bug down will cause it to crash into the ground, where it is easily overwhelmed.